Nagi, Nagi Podocarpus, Broadleaf Podocarpus
Nageia nagi

Family: Podocarpaceae

What it is like

Bloom Color: Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Oval, Pyramidal, Upright or erect.

Nageia nagi is an evergreen Tree growing to 25 m (82ft 0in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower from March to May, and the seeds ripen from September to November. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Wind. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 25

Where it is found

Mountains in C. and S. Japan. Evergreen broad-leaved and Quercus forests, forests on dry mountainsides, thickets, along streams at elevations of 200 - 1200 metres in China.

E. Asia - S. China, S. Japan.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Young leaves are occasionally parboiled and eaten. The seeds yield an edible oil which is also used in industry.

Oil: Oil

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

The seeds yield an edible oil which is also used in industry. The wood is used for constructing houses and bridges, making furniture, utensils, and handicraft articles.

Oil: Vegetable oils have many uses, as lubricants, lighting, soap and paint making, waterproofing etc. This does not include the edible oils unless they are also mentioned as having other uses.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Border, Screen, Specimen, Street tree. This species is hardy to about -20°c, but plants require a 4 month hot humid summer for satisfactory development. Best grown in a warm continental climate. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. Special Features: Attractive foliage, Not North American native, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.

Propagating it: Seed - can be sown at any time of the year in a sandy soil in a warm greenhouse, though it is probably best sown as soon as it is ripe. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe terminal shoots, 5 - 10cm long, July/August in a frame.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Canopy; Secondary;

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 9-11

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Decussocarpus nagi. Podocarpus nagi. (Thunb.)Zoll.&Moritz.